This year’s Binibinis are competing for more than just a crown

The 36 candidates of the 61st Binibining Pilipinas confidently walked the runway in their swimwear and evening gowns during the press presentation and preliminary competition held recently at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.

The stunning ladies are vying for the Bb. Pilipinas International and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2025 crowns. The grand coronation night is set to take place on June 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Swimsuit and Evening Gown competition winners and the Face of Binibini will also be announced during the finals night.

This year’s bets include: Jeannette Reyes; Liiya Patricia Santiago; Jercy Raine Cruz; Mia Betina Golosino; Lois Vivien Garce; Nichole Nash Andrea Vergara; Annabelle Mae McDonnell; Andrea Clavel Sumadsad; Jenesse Viktoria Mejia; Kimberly Naz; Alyssa Mildred Villariña; and Francesca Beatriz Abalajon.

They are joined by Stella Zacarias; Devine May Torres; Bianca Mae Hernandez; Alyssa Rae Zabala; Vivian Hernandez; Kathleen Enid Espenido; Ma. Andrea Endicio; Farah Jane Rebustillo; Pretty Shane Arnejo; Anna Carres de Mesa; Joanna Francez Batalang; and Radha Marie Cabug.

Completing the list of contenders are Katrina Anne Johnson; Cyril Reign Nulud; Jemille Rustia Zosa; Ma. Alexandra Mata; Glycelle Achurra Navares; Blessie Villablanca; Nica Dacanay; Joanne Marie Thornley; Jerimi Nuqui; Patricia Layug; Alyssa Marie Geronimo, and Dalia Varde Khattab.

Actor and event host Wize Estabillo was joined by Bb. Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2024 Jasmin Bungay on stage during the press presentation. P-pop girl group KAIA also rendered an energetic performance during the show.

The panel of judges during the preliminary competition include Bb. Pilipinas executive committee member Veana Fores; Bb. Pilipinas junior deputy executive committee member Pia Ojeda; Bb. Pilipinas executive committee member and Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1971 Vida Doria; Bb. Pilipinas trustee and Uniprom Inc. office-in-charge Irene Jose; Araneta City vice president for marketing Marjorie Go; Araneta Hotels, Inc. Cluster general manager Maria Garcia; public relations manager Badette Cunanan; Executive Training Institute of the Philippines, sole franchisee of Dale Carnegie Training in the Philippines president and chief executive officer (CEO) Doodz Policarpio.

Also serving as judges were My Daily Collagen president Anna Perez; Pizza Hut brand manager Michelle Binoya; Wellness Whispers by Dani Barretto founder and CEO Dani Barretto; Victory Liner marketing manager Raul Ecaldre; Playmate Leisure Solutions Inc. PR director for Playtime Krizia Cortez; Thunderbird Resorts and Casinos marketing and entertainment head Michael Angelol; and Nhue Creative Studios president Jonna Cenica Cabuyao.

During the event, some of the returning candidates informed The STAR why they chose Bb. Pilipinas as the pageant to compete in again.

McDonnell, who’s representing Iligan City, an MQuest talent, Miss Charm 2023 first runner-up, and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 first runner-up, told this paper that she doesn’t want to put her pageant career on hold.

“I think I still have something to give. And Bb. Pilipinas has always been a childhood dream of mine. I don’t wanna end my pageant journey without representing my hometown. It’s been seven years since I finally got to represent my hometown and I’m making the most out of it.”

She initially planned to join next year but with the encouragement from her beauty camp Aces & Queens, her family and her boyfriend, she decided to enter the pageant this year.

On the other hand, De Mesa from the province of Batangas earlier competed in Bb. Pilipinas 2022 edition. “This is my second try and from that moment, I was sure that I’m going to join again Bb. Pilipinas and no other because Binibini is my dream. And now I feel like I’m living the dream and I’m very happy and I hope that people are, too. I’m so grateful.”

Johnson from the province of Davao who placed first runner-up in Bb. Pilipinas 2023 felt like she “had unfinished business.”

“And there was part of me that I was so eternally grateful that I was able to place for the first time around. So there was a part of me that was like, ‘Do I wanna put myself back out there and kind of put myself in a position being vulnerable and being judged again, right?’”

She deeply pondered whether she wanted to give the pageant another try — and eventually, she did. “I didn’t wanna live my life with what ifs,” she mused. “I knew that this would be my last year to join if I did want to so I wanna take advantage of it. So it’s really just me taking a leap of faith giving it everything I have.”

From left: Binibining Pilipinas 2024 first runner-up Christal Jean dela Cruz, Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra, Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2024 Jasmin Bungay and Binibining Pilipinas 2024 second runner-up Trisha Martinez.

“He’s Into Her” actress and Las Piñas representative, Khattab, is eyeing the Bb. Pilipinas International title. It’s her first time to take part in the beauty contest.

“That is the crown that is aligned with my values the most. Because a lot of me, a lot of Dalia is rooted in Japan. And that is where Miss International is based,” she expressed.

The Kapamilya actress established a business in Japan and is fond of Japanese culture. “I even speak a little bit of Japanese since I’ve already started studying over a year ago. And that was way before I decided I was gonna be a Binibini.

“Everything that I’ve been doing, starting my business there, really living life in Japan as a tourist and falling in love with the country, I realized that maybe I wanna strengthen my bond with the country even more by hopefully winning the Bb. Pilipinas international crown and then one day getting to compete and represent the Philippines in Japan as Miss International.”

On how her showbiz career will aid her bid for the crown, she said, “It’s such a blessing to be an actress first before I joined pageantry… Everything that I learned, the long taping days, yung mga scripts, everything I had to memorize, all of that helps me today, until now, to really perform and always be at my best on stage. I really believe that it’s my chance now to really shine as an artist here and in pageantry.”

The Bb. Pilipinas will mount their 2025 Bb. Pilipinas Lagoon Fashion Show at the Lagoon in Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City on May 28 and the Grand Parade of Beauties on June 7.